Which Tier are We?

[rnfoster]

As you know, there are 16 teams left. Where would you put us based on this tier system I created in my own mind?

Tier 1: very reasonable chance to win the national championship.

Tier 2: it could happen, but it is unlikely.

Tier 3: there is a better chance of Cal coming back and coaching the Cats than this happening.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Tier 2

 

[jedwar]

2 is where we are along with all but 4 other teams. Duke, Florida, Houston and Auburn.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

2 is where we are along with all but 4 other teams. Duke, Florida, Houston and Auburn.

You don’t think Bama gets Tier 1?

 

[jedwar]

You don’t think Bama gets Tier 1?

No. I think they are a cut below the big 4. I had Bama in my Final Four though. I'm a walking contradiction.

 

[JPFisher]

As you know, there are 16 teams left. Where would you put us based on this tier system I created in my own mind?

Tier 1: very reasonable chance to win the national championship.

Tier 2: it could happen, but it is unlikely.

Tier 3: there is a better chance of Cal coming back and coaching the Cats than this happening.

Tier 2. We have a tough ut team and a tough matchup in the EE regardless of who wins that Houston game.

Once you're in the final four, it seems like anything can happen, but that's a long two games away and we're one shoulder bump away from being PG-less again.

 

[HagginHall1999]

No. I think they are a cut below the big 4. I had Bama in my Final Four though. I'm a walking contradiction.

I agree and simultaneously, they may be the worst match up for us.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

I agree and simultaneously, they may be the worst match up for us.

They shouldn’t be but proven to be tough. I don’t think they get past BYU though.

 

[jedwar]

I agree and simultaneously, they may be the worst match up for us.

I think so. Out of all teams left I''d rather play anyone but Bama.

 

[ORCAT]

Tier 2, honestly.

 

[Cats192]

I would put Duke, Auburn, Florida, Houston, Alabama, Tennessee tier 1.

Every other school tier 2.

Except: Arkansas Tier 3.

 

[BurnTheCouch]

Tier 2. We have a tough ut team and a tough matchup in the EE regardless of who wins that Houston game.

Once you're in the final four, it seems like anything can happen, but that's a long two games away and we're one shoulder bump away from being PG-less again.

I seriously doubt Butler leaves again unless his shoulder is just immobile. I think they babied it through the season and he didn't want to push it for this moment right now.

He took some hits last night and even deflected a ball with his left hand. He made 2 threes and was able to seem competent driving to the basket. Whereas he had been a non-factor on the offense side from a scoring aspect anyway.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

My rankings
Duke, Florida, Houston, / Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama / BYU, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan St/ Michigan, Ole Miss, Texas Tech/ Arkansas, Purdue, Arizona

 

[coriolanus92]

I would put Duke, Auburn, Florida, Houston, Alabama, Tennessee tier 1.

Every other school tier 2.

Except: Arkansas Tier 3.

I wouldn't put Tennessee in tier 1. I don't think they score well enough. I know they went 1-1 with Auburn, so maybe Auburn doesn't belong there either, but Duke and Florida just have too much offense for them, IMO.

 

[sambowieshin]

My rankings
Duke, Florida, Houston, / Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama / BYU, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan St/ Michigan, Ole Miss, Texas Tech/ Arkansas, Purdue, Arizona

I'd put Arkansas tier 2 talent wise but you got the coaching level correct.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

I'd put Arkansas tier 2 talent wise but you got the coaching level correct.

Playing great right now- if Thiero comes back one would think it’ll move them up- I think the opposite- having a full team could mess up some chemistry.

 

[JonathanW]

2

If we were healthy, then 1.

 

[rnfoster]

I think we are in tier 2, but I have been around long enough to know that matchups count and after this weekend if we are still playing, you have to put us in tier 2, maybe.

 

[The_Answer1313]

We were always in that second tier. The one right below the teams that are probably winning the title.

Even healthy I don't think we were close to the upper tier TBH.

 

[Aike]

I would have 6 tiers…

Likely - Florida, Auburn, Duke

Not surprising - Alabama, Houston

Not likely but good enough to win it - everyone else other than Michigan, Ole Miss, and Arkansas

Not reallllly good enough, but maybe??? -

Michigan


Shock to the system - Mississippi

Apocalypse arrives -

Arkansas

 

[The_Answer1313]

I would have 6 tiers…

Likely - Florida, Auburn, Duke

Not surprising - Alabama, Houston

Not likely but good enough to win it - everyone else other than Michigan, Ole Miss, and Arkansas

Not reallllly good enough, but maybe??? -

Michigan


Shock to the system - Mississippi

Apocalypse arrives -

Arkansas

If the apocalypse happens to arrive, this board would absolutely lose their mind lol.

 

[Cats192]

I wouldn't put Tennessee in tier 1. I don't think they score well enough. I know they went 1-1 with Auburn, so maybe Auburn doesn't belong there either, but Duke and Florida just have too much offense for them, IMO.

I don't mean to predict Tennessee to win it all. I think any of the top 6 CAN win it all.

I think there's a big step off after the first 6. Going by the current Kenpom data and historical trends, Tennessee is on the list of teams that can realistically win 6 straight games.

Full disclosure--We can absolutely beat Tennessee this weekend. I think the version of Kentucky we saw yesterday is capable of getting to the Final 4. And then we'll see where the chips fall.

 

[KFuqua]

As much as I hate to say it; if I'm being honest, we're a 2

 

[The_Answer1313]

I don't think there's really anything wrong with being considered a team just outside the contenders.

Pope's first year with a team that he had to put together in weeks. And yet we are what a top 10/top 15 team and have been this entire season.

It's still going to suck once the run does end, but it's an encouraging start to this era.

 

[GoNoles111]

Tier 2.

With a 100 percent Butler and Jax? Tier 1

 

[Blueisbest]

We are definitely a tier 2 team. Highly unlikely to win the whole thing, but not impossible.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Tier 2.

 

[billoliver40]

2

 

[BlueSince92]

Tier 2. And it’s a shame because I’m nearly positive if we had been fully healthy all year I would be answering this question very very differently.

Our injuries didn’t only lower our ceiling from what it would be right now if Lamont and Jaxson and Kerr all got magically healthy today.

Our injuries also meant that the original path this team was on, the fully operational Death Star battle station offense we were carefully installing week by week, that went out the window in JANUARY and since then our staff has mostly only been doing damage control to keep us from falling too far below the peak of what was really only meant to be our awkward, teenage-years level of efficiency. They’ve done a brilliant job and this team will always have a special place in my heart. But man, what this team COULD have been, even made of scrubs as we are. THAT would have been breathtaking to see and I seriously doubt I would be giving Auburn, Alabama, Houston, Duke, or Florida much of a serious chance against it.

 

[HagginHall1999]

They shouldn’t be but proven to be tough. I don’t think they get past BYU though.

Imagine if Pope kept Richie Sanders....sheesh